It's official: House quad-comm is back in business
Published Aug 5, 2025 07:58 pm
At A Glance
- The House of Representatives has officially reformed the vaunted quad-committee (quad-comm) in the current 20th Congress.
From left to right: Manila 6th district Rep. Bienvenido Abante Jr., Manila 2nd district Rep. Rolando Valeriano, Bukidnon 2nd district Rep. Jonathan Keith Flores, and Bicol Saro Party-list Rep. Terry Ridon (PPAB, Contributed photo)
The House of Representatives has officially reformed the vaunted quad-committee (quad-comm) in the current 20th Congress.
This, after congressmen adopted during plenary session Tuesday night, Aug. 5, House Resolution (HR) No.106, titled "Resolution authorizing the Committees on Human Rights, Public Order and Safety, Dangerous Drugs, and Public Accounts to conduct a joint inquiry, in aid of legislation, to address emerging and unresolved issues brought forth by the joint investigation of the previous quad-committee during the Nineteenth Congress".
The move marks the formal launch of the so-called "quad-comm version 2.0", to be led by the following co-chairmen: Manila 6th district Rep. Bienvenido Abante Jr., who chairs the Committee on Human Rights; Manila 2nd district Rep. Rolando Valeriano, chairman of the Committee on Public Order and Safety; Bukidnon 2nd district Rep. Jonathan Keith Flores, chairman of the Committee on Dangerous Drugs; and Bicol Saro Party-list Rep. Terry Ridon, chairman of the Committee on Public Accounts.
Abante, the overall chairman of this itineration of the quad-comm, highlighted the filing of HR no.106 during a privilege speech Monday, Aug. 4.
The resolution acknowledges the urgent need to revisit critical cases and address systemic problems that remain unrectified—particularly those involving allegations of extrajudicial killings (EJKs), abuse of authority, illicit activities tied to Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs), and gaps in accountability across law enforcement and public agencies.
Initially formed in August 2024 during the previous 19th Congress, the quad-comm held a total of 15 marathon hearings on these alleged interconnected issues. The highest profile witness or resource person who attended the series of marathon hearings held by the joint panel was ex-president Duterte himself.
The quad-comm hearings have had it's share of viral moments, drawing millions of viewers. At its height, it was akin to a highly-rated television drama.
Abante says the quad-comm's reactivation is not merely an act of continuity, but a moral obligation to pursue truth and justice where it was previously denied or delayed. He stressed that the work of the quad-comm transcends partisanship and political color, and centers instead on accountability, transparency, and the sanctity of human life.
“There is still work that must be done — truths that remain hidden, perpetrators who remain unpunished, and families who still wait for answers. Justice does not expire with time," he said.
Nothing partisan about it
Meanwhile, the former deputy speaker rejected claims that the special joint committee’s reconstitution was politically-motivated. “This is not a partisan crusade. This is a moral one. Because murder knows no color but one — red, the color of blood unjustly spilled," he said.
“This is about restoring the public’s faith in our institutions. It’s about ensuring that the House of Representatives remains a true bastion of the people’s rights and welfare,” Abante added.
With the reactivation of the quad-comm, the House now seeks to build on the foundation laid down by the original joint panel.
The new quad-comm will revisit previous testimonies, summon resource persons, and expand the scope of investigation to address fresh developments, including emerging organized crime networks and allegations of systemic abuse involving state actors.
Like its previous iteration, it is expected to produce legislative proposals aimed at preventing abuses and strengthening institutional safeguards.
Among the priority bills being eyed are the proposed Anti-Extrajudicial Killing Act, a measure that will institutionalize procedures to prevent and investigate unlawful killings, and the Civil Forfeiture Act, which aims to seize ill-gotten assets of public officials and organized criminal entities.
Abante said that the quad-comm will be both investigative and legislative in nature, with the clear goal of ensuring that no injustice is swept under the rug.
He described the reconstitution as a test of political courage and an opportunity for Congress to assert its constitutional mandate of oversight and legislative action.
The special joint panel will convene in the coming weeks, with public hearings to follow.